We recently discovered the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (here) burried deep in the text of the stimulus plan. The agency would promote cost effective medical treatment by establishing mandatory guidelines for medical treatment. A formula based on the cost of treatment, and number of years the patient would benefit from treatment to determine whether or not the treatment is cost effective. So here’s my question, what if your nearing in on your 79th birthday (you’ve already passed the average life expectancy) and you’ve got a brain tumor (high cost of treatment, low chance of success)? Will Obama’s new health Gestapo decide it’s more cost effective to send flowers to your family?